Sadie

1.

Haven Humane Society
5 P.M. Friday Evening

I am spending another night locked behind these bars.
All I want is to be with my mother and my sisters and brothers.
Me and one of my brothers were brought here together by the man and have been here for four lights and four darks. Some humans took my brother yesterday and I haven't seen him since.
Now I sit here alone. I wonder if my brother went somewhere good, and if soon I would have to go there too.
Suddenly, I hear people. They are walking down the hall, closer to my cage. They are talking words I can't understand. Before I know it, they stop at my cage.
The man in front of me is the same man I see everytime, but the woman next to him, was very different. I have not seen her before. She is smiling at me.
To my surprise, my cage door is open, I am swooped into the arms of the man. He carries me into another room with many other humans, the woman walking beside him.
The man passes me over to the woman's arms. They talk some more, and soon, I am carried out of the terrible place, into the open world.
My first thought is my mother. I miss her so much. I hoped that where I was going, she would be there too.
The woman placed me into a soft seat. It was much softer than the ground I had to sleep on. She slammed the door next to me, and got in through another door, and sat down next to me.
She looked at me, again smiling. She reached her hand down to me, and out of instinct I became scared. But what came next was not what I imagined.
She gently moved her hand onto the top of my head, and rubbed back and forth. It was so relaxing, and it felt so good. I had never felt such a good feeling come from the touch of a human before.
After she was done petting me, she strapped a weird, thick fabric around my neck. It wasn't uncomfortable, although it wasn't my favorite thing at first.
Once she was done, we began moving. I remember this feeling. This is the feeling I got right before I came to the terrible place.
The woman had gave me such a good feeling, but now I feel scared again.
We kept moving for what I felt like was the longest time, longer than last time.
Once we stopped moving, the door next to me opened. I look up into the face of a smaller human. It is a girl human. She immediately grabs me into her arms. Why were these people being so nice to me?
The girl placed me in her lap, and sat where I was sitting. Then we continued moving again. The ride wasn't so bad sitting in the lap of this girl.
The moving thing finally stops again. The girl, still holding me in her arms, gets out, as well does the woman.
I look around. It's dark out. I don't see Mother. I don't smell Mother. No sign of my sisters or brothers either. I do not like this place. I want to go back to my cage.
I am carried up some steps, and am brought through a door. It's light inside this new place. I've never been to a place quite like this. I've never seen anything like the things that were inside. I still am unsure of this new place.
The girl places me on the floor. I look up at her, not knowing what to do next. Neither of them do anything, so I decide to sniff around. Every smell I take in is a new one, nothing seems familiar. Every sound I hear startles me.
The girl sits down on the floor and watches me. I walk over to her, and lick her, thanking her for making me feel safe. She laughs. Only more reason for more licks. She seemed very happy. Which for some reason makes me kind of happy.
The girl and I played together for a long time. I was having such a fun time. Although, my mother, brothers and sisters never left my mind. I wish they were here, having fun with me and the girl.
The woman says something loudly, almost making me jump. The girl instantly gets up from the floor and leaves the room. The woman grabs me, and carries me into a different room. This room is small. I look for the girl, but she isn't there. I start to wonder if I will see her again soon.
The woman places me into a really big bowl of water. The water is warm. I am calm as she pours some water onto my back. I am not scared, but soothed. This may be more relaxing than being pet.
The woman rubs and massages my fur. I am amazed by the good feeling I am getting. I wonder if my brothers and sisters got to experience this amazing feeling, or if I was the first one. I would certainly have to tell them about it.
Once the woman is done with my massage, she picks me up and sets me on a soft spot. She throws a towel over me and rubs me again. I am so excited about feeling so good, I want to run and jump and roll.
Soon, the woman removes her hands from me. I take that as my cue to bolt out of the door, and down the hallway, I had no clue where it lead to, but I didn't care. I got into the familiar room and I slide across the floor. I have never been covered in water before, and now I am learning it is a weakness.
I see the girl in the next room, I run over to her and jump up on her. She pets me and tickles me. Time for some more play! But before we get the chance, the woman shouts something again. The girl gives me a smooch on my cheek, and gets on the large bed. The woman picks me up, and puts me on the large bed also. I immediately run towards the girls face. I lick her a lot.
The woman says, "No, Sadie." loudly.
I tuck my tail and lay down. The woman lays down next to me. And then it is dark.
Soon, the woman and the girl are asleep. I try hard to sleep, too, but I just cant. I've never had to sleep without my mother or siblings. It doesn't feel normal. I want to snuggle with them and feel their warm fur.
Eventually, I fall asleep thinking about them. All I want is to see them. I fall asleep. I dream that they are with me, and the woman and the girl.